WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Jan. 3) – The Waynesburg University women's basketball team tipped off the 2024 calendar year by hosting Franciscan for a Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) matchup. The Yellow Jackets never trailed on their way to a 65-37 home win over the Barons.
 
Waynesburg (2-10, 1-7) jumped out to an 18-3 lead after 8:31 of play. Seven different Jackets tallied points during the quick start, which eventually led to the home team grabbing an 18-6 lead after one quarter.
 
The Jackets' 12-point advantage expanded to 38-14 by halftime, before Franciscan (3-10, 1-7) matched Waynesburg 12-12 in the third quarter. The home team put the finishing touches on its first PAC victory of the year by tallying 15 of the 26 points recorded in the fourth period.
 
Freshman Kalista Friday (Woodsfield, Ohio / Monroe Central) led the home team with a game-high 13 points on five-of-11 shooting from the floor. She converted three-of-six attempts from 3-point range and came one rebound shy of a double-double with nine boards. Friday added a team-high three steals to a solid all-around day.
 
Freshman Mia Henkins (Morgantown, W.Va. / Morgantown) chipped in 11 points to the winning effort, while classmate Julz Mohrbacher (Freedom, Pa. / Freedom) contributed eight points and a squad-best 11 rebounds.
 
The victors saw 11 of their own score at least two points each on the day. They also outrebounded Franciscan by a 60-44 margin.
 
The Jackets are back in action on Saturday, when they welcome Chatham to the Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.